Let us look at some of the myths of the cigar-world out there
Cuban cigars were rolled on the naked thighs of virgin women?
Incorrect - it would be almost impossible to get anything resembling a cigar if this were true; but you can dream, if you like.
This is quite possibly the grandest of all Cigar Myths... ever!
Cuban Cigars did not Originate in Cuba?
Correct - the origins of "Cuban" cigars actually starts in Spain where Spanish rollers rolled cigars made of purely of Cuban tobacco (Cuban puro). This was during the period when Spain controlled Cuba (1492 till 1898) and forbid the rolling of cigars in Cuba itself.
In fact the oldest Cuban brand is Cabañas which was created circa 1797 under the name of the brands owner, Francisco Cabañas.
Cuban-made Cuban-cigars were again rolled in Cuba by underworld members and sold as an illicit product.
Spain is noted as creating the perception that Cuban (Havana) cigars were the finest in the world as many countries were producing cigars at that time; but Spain needed an edge and by using purely Cuban-tobaccos they created the Cuban legacy that lasts till this day.
Dark cigars are Stronger than Liter cigars?
Incorrect - while maduro (dark) wrappers may undergo a longer and more rigorous fermentation, they do not have an inherited higher level of strength or spice; rather, they become richer in body and a little sweeter as the sugars develop in the leaf.
There are numerous Connecticut or Ecuadorian Shade (the primary liter cigar wrapper) cigars that still pack a punch over and above a dark (maduro) cigar.
Strength in tobacco for cigars comes from the different primings of the leaf, something we will get into in a future BLOG post.
Full-bodied cigars are strong / Strong cigars are full-bodied?
Incorrect - a cigar can have a full body, characterized by depth and breadth of flavour (i.e. richness, earthiness, creaminess); and not be strong. Strength relates to the level of nicotine intensity and can also refer to spice levels (i.e. strong spice), but not necessarily profound, rich, or full flavours.
The more expensive the cigar, the better… cigars are only for the wealthy?
Incorrect - a cigar is made of several key elements and yes, while you can spend a lot more money on those components to make an exceptional cigar that would justify a hefty price-tag; you can also produce a fantastic cigar with more moderate components. Cigars are far from being the exclusive luxury of the wealthy.
Like the whisky world and food world for that matter, everything comes down to personal taste and preference ultimately.
The most expensive cigar currently on record is the Gurkha Royal Courtesan Cigar at an eye-watering US$1.36million (I might need to do a blog on the wolrds most absolutely absurdly priced cigars next)...
Cuban Cigars are the Best?
Incorrect - pure romanticism... there are good Cubans, bad Cubans, and everything in between - this bold statement mainly stems from 25 to 50 years ago when Cuba was the dominant producer of cigars worldwide. After the embargo, international regulations on tobacco production and handmade cigars, consumer demands and improved quality standards have driven good practices worldwide. You can easily find a good cigar inside or outside Cuba.
Yes, Cuba is the birthplace of great air-cured tobacco and cigars (eventually, remember they really started off in Spain); but time has moved us forward. Great tobacconists and consumers everywhere know that our current 'golden age of cigars' exists mostly because of the efforts and products created by those outside of Cuba.
Today, claiming that "I only smoke Cubans" or "Cuban cigars are the best" is merely a personal preference as opposed to objective fact. Aficionados, connoisseurs and tobacconists know that taste is subjective and the last decade plus of Top 25 Cigars of the Year would categorically prove that Cuban's reign is long over.
Lastly the majority of the worlds top Master Blenders that we know of today, all originated from the Cuba of old; the only benefit the Cuban Dictatorship by Fidel Castro has done for the cigar world was to force the masters of the industry to flee Cuba and take their amazing talents to Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Honduras etc. and thus create the bountiful world of premium cigars we know and love.
Packaging Equals Quality?
Incorrect - many cigars with simple packaging are extraordinary, and many cigars have extraordinary packing that is not commensurate with the product. The cigar industry has pioneered artistic, intricate, and luxurious packaging concepts, in part, because the products look like commodities without distinguished packaging and branding.
But, extraordinary packaging says nothing about the actual quality of a product (fortunately).
Perfect consistency of Cigar construction exists?
Incorrect - unfortunately! It is impossible to create a perfectly consistent cigar and blend from one batch to another, much less from one crop/year to another. In addition, it is impossible to construct every cigar perfectly.
The nature of handmade cigars requires some deviation and inconsistency. It is perfectly acceptable for handmade cigars to be a little inconsistent. It is also okay for a cigar to burn a little crooked and require a touch-up and it is okay for cigars to taste a little different from one batch to another. In fact, the human senses cannot taste or smell perfectly, so we wouldn't recognize perfect consistency if it were possible.
Possibly out of all the processes I have seen, Davidoff (before they changed factories in 2021) were the most concise with exact measurements of tobaccos into each cigar etc. - however, premium cigars are made by hand in a time old artisan process; so; every cigar is going to be marginally different from another one in the same batch.
Thankfully the majority of the premium cigar world use The Drawmaster to test the draw of cigars during production to ensure you don't end up with a plugged, un-smokeable cigar...
Cuban seed equals quality?
Incorrect - Cuban seeds, grown inside or outside Cuba, can produce both good and bad cigars. There are far too many variables impacting the quality of tobacco and cigars (ie. soil, climate, rain, fermentation, blending, rolling, etc...).
This myth likely gained traction after the USA embargo on Cuba when cigar makers wanted to enhance the perceived value of their own brands by saying that Cuban seeds were being used. To this day, many uninformed consumers visit retail tobacconists and ask for "Cuban seed" cigars, thinking that they are better.
Actually, most premium cigar seed varietals originate from Cuban seeds but have been developed and grown outside of Cuba for decades. Ultimately, when you see "Cuban Seed" written on a box, it is probably a sign that the cigar maker has nothing better or more original to say about the product; and they are marketing to uneducated consumers.
Torpedoes should be cut on an angle?
Personal preference - a straight or at an angle cut in both ways work fine if done well. Some cut at an angle to have a wider opening while others prefer a straight cut to gently fill the mouth with smoke.
Some double guillotine cigar cutters are said to sharpen themselves?
Incorrect - the physics of metal sharpening have nothing in common with the way double guillotines function. If this was true, you'd be forever tasting stainless dust with your cigar when you cut it - thankfully that is not the case.
White ash is the sign of a fine Cigar?
Incorrect - the colour of the ash depends more on the terrain the tobacco came from. The ash is the result of the combustion of minerals from the soil and isn’t related to cigar quality. Calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium make the ash lighter, while potassium makes it darker.
You will find lots of high-end cigars that make a beautiful salt-and-pepper ash.
You should store Cigars in the refrigerator?
Incorrect - cigars require humidity and cool temperatures (the golden rule was always 70/70 for us older cigar aficionados / which equates to 70F or 21C and 70% Rh humidity). Refrigerators provide a cold and dry climate that is extremely harsh for cigars.
Just the thought of precious cigars adopting the smell of leftovers should send chills up your spine.
It’s best to lick the entire cigar before lighting it?
Incorrect - this might have been common practice in the past (shudder), when humidors did not exist and transportation was slow; they would moisten the Havanas with cognac, whiskey, or other available liquor to help maintain the cigar’s humidity.
Today, you’d probably get strange looks for licking your entire cigar.
Note: We do (the majority of cigar aficionados) moisten the head of the cigar prior to cutting it, just to mitigate any splitting or cracking a bit.
And, yes, shudder - some people do run their cigars under the tap prior to smoking them; god help me as I can't imagine why you'd ever need to do this or even want to do this.
There’s no need to use a humidor to keep cigars in good condition?
Correct - if you just buy one stick to smoke it the same day then there is no need to use a humidor.
Incorrect - if you plan to save cigars for later, collect cigars and age cigars; you will need a humidor for storage.
President John F. Kennedy hoarded Cuban cigars before signing the Cuban embargo?
Correct - Kennedy sent aides out to Washington, DC, cigar stores to buy up as many Cuban cigars (named H. Upmann Petit Coronas), before he signed the embargo against Cuba. It’s safe to move this tidbit from the myth column to fact. Kennedy preferred the smaller cigar and sent Pierre Salinger, his press secretary, among others, to buy as many as they could find on the eve of the law taking effect.
